Decorative non-burning candle device



June 25, 1968 D. B. HUMES DECORATIVE NON-BURNING CANDLE DEVICE FiledNov. 19, 1964 INVENTOR. DANIEL B. HUME-s Bwmig ww ATTORNEYS UnitedStates Patent 0 3,390,043 DECORATIVE NON-BURNING CANDLE IBEVICE DanielB. Humes, 3236 Paddington lLane, WinstonSalem,N.C. 27106 Filed Nov. 19,1964, Ser. No. 412,446 2 Claims. (Cl. 16119) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREA decorative non-burning candle device characterized by beingconvertible from a simulated unburned, new candle form to a simulatedpartially burned candle, as desired. The candle comprises an elongatebody adapted to be mounted in a generally upright position and having anexterior appearance closely simulating an authentic unburned candle, anelongate cap having the external appearance closely simulating anauthentic partially burned candle and adapted to be removably mounted onthe upper end of the elongate body for simulating an authentic partiallyburned candle and adapted to be removed from the body when a simulatedunburned candle is desired, and a convertible wick member in which oneend thereof simulates a burned wick and the other end thereof simulatesan unburned wick and adapted to be removably mounted in the upper endportion of the elongate body for providing the desired simulated burnedor unburned candle appearance.

This invention relates to candles employed for decorative purposes, andmore particularly to a decorative, nonburning candle device capable ofbeing employed to realistically and alternatively simulate either anunburned can;

dle or a partially-burned candle.

A large percentage of the candles sold at the present time in thiscountry are employed for purely decorative, rather than utilitarian,purposes. Their complete, and in many cases even their partial,consumption by burning is not contemplated. In the interest of economy,such candles should desirably possess the characteristic of retaining anattractive and ornametal appearance over an extended period of time.Authentic Wax-constructed candles usually do not possess thischaracteristic, having a tendency to eventually bend, sag or break andto collect particles of dust or grime upon their surface which cannoteasily be completely removed. The foregoing deficiencies are well known,as evidenced by there now being commercially available various types ofartificialities, usually constructed of glass, intended to simulate anauthentic unburned candle and to be used for decorative purposes in lieuthereof. However, many of these artificialities are not satisfactory dueto their possessing an unrealistic appearance, and/or being quitesusceptible to breakage, and/or being prohibitively expensive. Inaddition, and of primary importance, the known artificialities fail toevidence recognition of the fact that the features sought in a candle tobe used for decorative purposes vary in accordance with both the tasteof the particular user and the particular setting in which the candle isto be employed. Thus, while a simulated unburned candle might be desiredby one particular person for use in one particular setting, for instancein a candelabra to be employed in conjunction with a formal dinner, asimulated partially-burned candle might be demanded by anotherindividual for use in the same setting or by the first person for use ina less formal environment. Variance also exists relative to the precisefeatures desired by different individuals in a decorativepartially-burned candle, some persons desiring only the wick componentthereof to be blackened and others desiring the entire upper portion ofthe candle to present a Wax-dripped appearance. Neither authenticcandles nor presently-known simulated ones are capable of being em-Patented June. 25, 15368 ployed so as to completely and economicallysatisfy these varying needs and tastes of purchasers.

With the foregoing in mind, the primary object of this invention is theprovision of a decorative non-burning candle device that can be employedover prolonged periods of time to realistically and alternativelysimulate either an unburned candle or a partially-burned candle, so asto satisfy the different aesthetic demands of a variety of potentialpurchasers and also satisfy the different needs associated with itsutilization by any one purchaser in a variety of settings.

Another object is the provision of a device of the type described whichis of economical and simple construction, is durable, and is capable ofbeing readily cleaned, such that its benefits can be enjoyed for arelatively small expense due both to its initial low cost and longuseful life.

Still other objects and advantages will be in part evident and in partpointed out hereinafter in the following description of an illustrativeembodiment of the invention, which should be read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded elevational view of a device embodying theinvention;

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view of the device of FIG- URE l assembled tosimulate a partially-burned waxdripped candle;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged vertical cross section taken substantially alongthe line 3-3 through the device of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged vertical cross section taken substantially alongthe line 4-ti through a component of the device of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged horizontal cross section taken substantiallyalong the line 5-5 through a component of the device of FIGURE 1.

Referring more specifically to the drawing, the device shown in FIGURE 1includes generally a base member 19, a main body member 12, a cap memberM, and a plug member 16 which includes a wick member 38. All of thecomponents of the device, with the exception of wickrn-ember 18, arepreferably formed from a plastic material such as polyethylene, to whicha suitable sub stance has been added to impart a white or other desiredcolor thereto, which can be quickly and economically formed by a moldingoperation into the desired shapes. When its components are so formed,the device closely simulates to a remarkable degree an authenticwaxconstructed candle, both to the eye and to the touch, and isadditionally readily cl anable and substantially nonbreakable.

Main body member 12 of the device comprises, as shown, an elongatehollow body having the circular crosssection, smooth exterior surface,and the upwardly-extending taper, from its open lower end 28 to itsclosed upper end 22, of one well-known type of authentic waxconstructedcandle. Base member Iii of the device similarly has the circularcross-sectional shape, verticallyfluted exterior surface, anddownwardly-extending taper or" the base portion of such an authentic waxconstructed candle, which base portion is adapted to be received withina candle holder or the like for mounting the candle in a generallyupright position. Base member Iii may constitute and'be formed as anintegral part of body member 12. The molding operation by which thedevice is preferably produced is facilitated, however, if base memberIii is formed as a separate component, as shown, in which event it isprovided with an upwardly extending, reduced-diameter boss 24 adapted tobe closely received within the open lower end 2i) of main body member 12so as to secure base member It by a friction fit to the lower end ofmember 12.

The wick component of the present device similarly might comprise asmall length of yarn or other flexible wick-simulating material formedintegral with and extending a short distance upwardly from the upper end22 of main body member 12. The preferred construction, however, is thatshown in the drawing and in which the upper end 22 of body member 12 isprovided with an axially-extending bore 2s therethrough. Bore 26 is of asize and shape adapted to closely receive and thus removably retain plugmember 16 of the device therewithin. Plug member in is of a enerallycylindrical shape and is provided at its opposite ends withcentrally-located concave and convex surfaces, 16, 16", respectively.Wick member 18, which may be formed of yarn, extends axially of plugmember in and has its medial portion permanently embedded therewithin.One end length 18 of wick member 18 extends a short distance beyondconcave surface 16 of plug member 16 and the opposite end length 18similarly extends a short distance beyond convex surface 16''. Endlength 18' of Wick member 18 is frayed and blackened, as by coloring oractual charring thereof, so as to simulate an authentic partiallyburnedcandle wick, while end length 18" simulates the exposed wick portion ofan authentic unburned candle.

Cap member 14 of the device comprises a tubular sheath-like body havingan open lower end 28 and closed upper end 36, and is adapted to beremovably mounted upon and to snugly enclose, in telescopic or matingrelationship, the upper end portion of main body member 12. in the caseof the specific embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing,therefor, the inner surface of cap member 14 is circular in verticalcross section (see FIGURE 5) and of an upwardly-decreasing diameterclosely approximating the upwardly-decreasing outer diameter of theupper portion of body member 12. Cap member 14- is intended to simulatethe upper portion of an authentic wax-constructed candle of the samesize and type as simulated by body member 12, but which has beenpartially burned. To this end, cap member 14 is of a relativelythin-walled construction, which it may be even to the point oftransparency since supported along all or a substantial portion of itslength by body member 12, and has randomly spaced upon its exteriorsurface a plurality of tear-drop projections simulating thewax-drippings found upon a partially-burned authentic candle. The lowerend 28 of cap member 14 is irregularly formed such that the projectionsupon its exterior surface do not all terminate at the same horizontalplane, but rather are randomly staggered in the manner of authentic waxdrippings.

In keeping with the alternative construction previously mentioned withrespect to main body member 12, cap member 14, might be formed with asimulated wick permanently embedded within and projecting upwardly fromits upper end 36. However, the preferred form of the invention shown inthe drawing provides in lieu thereof 7 an axial opening or bore 32extending through the upper end 30 of cap member 14. Bore 32 correspondsgenerally in size and shape to bore 2% in body member 12, although itmay additionally be provided with a slight downwardlyextendingirregularity 32, as shown, and is so located as to be alined with bore26 when cap member 14 is mounted upon body member 12.

The versatility of utilization of the present device is readilyapparent. When it is desired to simulate an authentic unburned candle,one merely attaches base member to body member 12, assuming that theyhave neither been integrally formed or previously connected, and insertsplug member 15 within bore 26 such that convex surface 16" of the formeris uppermost and approximately level with the terminal exterior surfaceof end 22 of member 12. All features of the resulting assembly,including the then-exposed convex surface 16" and end length is" of wickmember 18 coincide with the appearance of an authentic unburned candleof the same size and shape. If it should be desired to simulate a candlewhich has been partially burned to a minor extent, plug member 16 ismerely removed from bore 26, inverted, and then reinserted therewithin.The then-uppermost concave surface 16' of plug member 16 and blackenedend length 18' of wick member 18 immediately cause the thus-modifiedassembly to present the desired appearance. If simulation of anauthentic candle which has been burned to a greater extent is desired,then cap member 14 is mounted upon the upper end portion of body member12 as shown in FIGURE 2 of the drawing, with the cap member enclosingand overlying the upper end portion of the body member and with concavesurface 16' of plug member 16 and end length 18 of wick member 13projecting through the bore 32. In the latter regard, any res-adjustmentof plug member 16 which might be desired to more realistically positionconcave surface 16 thereof relative to the exterior surface of end 3% ofcap member 14 can be easily made merely by pulling slightly upon endlength 33' of wick member 18.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided a device realizing theobjects and possessing the benefits and advantages hereinbefore noted.The device is capable of being employed ti realistically simulateauthentic candles in their original unburned state, or in partiallyburned states, and is inexpensive, durable and capable of being readilycleaned when necessary.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, it is understood that this was for purposes of illustrationonly, and not for purposes of limitation, since various modificationsand alternative embodiments within the scope of the invention and of thefollowing claims will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Forinstance, other types and shapes of authentic candles, such as thosepossessing fluted surface along their entire heights, might besimulated. Further and as previously mentioned, a simulated wick membermight be permanently embedded at the upper end of main body memberand/or cap member of the present device. If the cap member were providedwith such a permanent simulated wick, it would of course preferably havethe appearance of a partially-burned one, and it would be unnecessaryfor the cap and main body members to fully and completely mate together.

That which is claimed is:

1. A decorative non-burning candle device characterized by beingconvertible from a simulated unburned, new candle form to a simulatedpartially burned candle form, said candle device comprising:

(a) elongate body means adapted to be mounted in a generally uprightposition and having an exterior appearance closely simulating anauthentic unburned candle;

(b) elongate cap means removably mounted upon and surrounding the upperend portion of said body means and having an external appearance closelysimulating an authentic partially burned candle when mounted on saidbody means and allowing said candle device to simulate an unburned, newcandle when removed from said body means; and

(c) a reversible wick means removably mounted in the upper end of saidbody means and having a wick portion on one end thereof simulating aburned candle wick and a wick portion on the other end thereofsimulating an unburned candle wick and adapted to be mounted in the bodymeans of said candle device with either the unburned wick portion or theburned wick portion exposed and extending from the upper end of thecandle device to simulate either a partially burned candle or a new,unburned candle.

2. A decorative, non-burning candle device, as set forth in claim 1 inwhich said reversible wick means further comprises a generallycylindrical shaped plug member having an axial bore therethrough, anelongate continuous wick member of yarn disposed within and extend- 5ing through said bore beyond each end thereof a short distance andpresenting a frayed, blackened surface on one end thereof simulating aburned wick and presenting a surface on the other end thereof simulatingan unburned wick.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ROBERT F.

Sidwell 161-19 Deckert 161-19 X Grieves et a1. Saier. Raymond 161-19 XBURNETT, Primary Examiner.

JACOB H. STEINBERG, Examiner.

10 W. A. POWELL, Assistant Examiner.

